Abstract: Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by plaque formation due to an accumulation of fat, cholesterol, and immune cells in the walls of arteries. If a plaque ruptures, an occlusive thrombosis may form that causes either a heart attack or stroke. Macrophages express CB-2 receptors, and are one type of immune cell that plays a role in plaque destabilization and rupture. Endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG) have been found to have activity on CB-1 and CB-2 receptors throughout the body and immune system. In this study, we investigated several sample preparation options for the LC-MS quantification of AEA and 2-AG from plasma and aortic tissue. The extractions considered included liquid–liquid (LLE), solid-phase (SPE), and supported liquid (SLE). Some extraction protocols yielded high analyte recovery and prevention of 1-AG/2-AG isomerization. Our results indicate that a liquid-liquid extraction using toluene yields the highest recovery for both analytes, coupled with low ionization suppression in the mass spectrometer. This extraction and corresponding LC-MS/MS assay provides a simple, high throughput mechanism for the quantification of 2-AG and AEA in matrices relevant to the study of endocannabinoids' role in atherosclerosis.

This paper is free to view for all users registered on separationsNOW.com until the end of July 2016.After this time, you can purchase it using Pay-Per-View on Wiley Online Library.

Additional Links

Our site uses cookies to improve your experience. You can find out more about our use of cookies
in our "standard cookie policy", including
instructions on how to reject and delete cookies if you wish to do so. By continuing to browse this site you agree
to us using cookies as described in our "standard cookie policy".

Our site uses cookies to improve your experience. You can find out more about our use of cookies
in our "standard cookie policy", including
instructions on how to reject and delete cookies if you wish to do so. By continuing to browse this site you agree
to us using cookies as described in our "standard cookie policy".